Grandma convicted of murdering grandson

Sandra Layne, a 75-year-old grandmother, was found guilty of second-degree murder on March 19, 2013 in the May 18, 2012 shooting death of her 17-year-old grandson, Jonathan Hoffman, in West Bloomfield Township, Detroit.
On April 18, 2013, Layne was sentenced to at least 22 years in prison, despite a plea from her lawyer that she may not survive a long stay. Layne got a minimum sentence of 20 years for second-degree murder, along with a mandatory two-year sentence for using a gun to kill her grandson.
Police said Jonathan called police during the shooting and told an emergency dispatcher that he had been shot in the chest by Layne and "was going to die." An autopsy revealed that Jonathan was shot three times in the chest, once in the abdomen and once in his left arm. Layne's lawyer has said Hoffman was troubled, Layne was afraid of her grandson and she fired her new handgun because she felt she had no choice.

Credit: West Bloomfield Township Police Dept.

Sandra Layne begins to testify in the Oakland County Circuit Courtroom of Judge Denise Langford Morris in Pontiac, Mich., Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Sandra Layne begins to testify in the Oakland County Circuit Courtroom of Judge Denise Langford Morris in Pontiac, Mich., Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Sandra Layne begins to testify in the Oakland County Circuit Courtroom of Judge Denise Langford Morris in Pontiac, Mich., Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Sandra Layne leaves the stand for a recess after testifying in the Oakland County Circuit Courtroom of Judge Denise Langford Morris in Pontiac, Mich., Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Sandra Layne leaves the Oakland County Circuit Courtroom of Judge Denise Langford Morris on a recess in Pontiac, Mich., Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Sandra Layne smiles at her family while entering the court room for her murder trial in Pontiac, Mich. on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.

Credit: AP Photo/Detroit News, Charles V. Tines

Sandra Layne appears as proceedings get under way in her murder trial in Pontiac, Mich. on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.

Credit: AP Photo/Detroit News, Charles V. Tines

This undated family photo of Jonathan Hoffman released by the Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield, Mich., shows the 17-year-old boy who was allegedly murdered by Layne. Hoffman was living with his grandmother while his mother and father were divorcing and living outside Michigan.

Credit: AP Photo/Ira Kaufman Chapel

Sandra Layne, 75, appears in handcuffs at the 48th District Count in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Monday, May 21, 2012.

Credit: AP Photo/The Detroit News, Max Ortiz

Jonathan Hoffman in an undated personal photo.

Credit: Personal Photo

Jonathan Hoffman in an undated personal photo.

Credit: Personal Photo

Sandra Layne appears in handcuffs at the 48th District Count in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Monday, May 21, 2012.

Credit: AP Photo/The Detroit News, Max Ortiz

Sandra Layne appears in handcuffs at the 48th District Count in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Monday, May 21, 2012.

Credit: Personal Photo

Attorney Mitchell Ribitwer speaks about his client Sandra Layne, accused in the shooting death of her grandson, Monday, May 21, 2012.